Safety screens at hospital reception areas may be preventing the spread of infection between patients and staff but they are also a barrier to clear communication.
Together with face coverings and ambient noise in departments, screens mean staff are having to speak more loudly or even come to the patient side in order to make themselves heard.
Contacta’s market-leading window intercom systems are a solution being adopted by hospitals up and down the country. Discreet microphones on either side of the screen pick up just the individual’s voice. Speakers then relay the sound creating a normal flow of conversation.
“A clear exchange of information is vital in hospital,” said Contacta’s Market Development Director, Andrew Thomas. “Not only do you want to make sure that advice has been understood, and patients’ questions and concerns have been answered, but that patients’ confidentiality and dignity is maintained. Having to almost shout to be heard compromises that.”
Contacta’s systems come with ‘open duplex’ amplifiers which means patients and staff can talk simultaneously. This is an essential feature for people with cognitive decline or who are unable to use visual clues to help the flow of conversation. The technology also means the models in Contacta’s range can be used hands-free, further limiting any infection risk.
“The main concern in the design of these systems is ease of use,” continue Andrew. “Once they’ve been installed, they can be switched on and left to work. They meet the needs of a 24-hour service and because they ‘sleep’ when they can’t detect conversation, saving energy and money. And, importantly for healthcare settings, they’re robust enough to be repeatedly sanitised.”
As the population ages, the number of hospital patients with hearing loss is increasing. Contacta’s window intercoms come with inbuilt hearing loops so hearing aid wearers can receive sound from the staff microphone straight to their hearing device. With clear signage to show a loop is available, patients don’t need to disclose their hearing loss but can simply switch their aid to the ‘T’ position to benefit.
With pressure increasing on hospital departments as COVID-19 cases surge once more, estate managers will be keen to keep installation times to a minimum. Engineers can install window intercom systems out of hours so disruption is limited, and Contacta’s models can be up and running in a matter of hours.
The Kent-based company has just completed an installation of more than 30 window intercom systems at St George’s University Hospital in London. Due to infection control protocols, engineers were unable to visit the site to complete their survey, instead specifying the systems required, and their configurations, from detailed photographs sent by the facilities team.
“Our engineers are able to meet the infection control needs the hospital has in place,” concluded Andrew. “They understand the challenges healthcare is facing and do their utmost to maximise staff and patient safety both during installation and with a quality end product.”
